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Jezebel

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Phoenician queen of Israel who promoted Baal worship and persecuted prophets

Detailed Definition
Jezebel, wife of Ahab, orchestrated Naboth’s murder and threatened Elijah, becoming synonymous with idolatrous tyranny (1 Kings 19, 21). In poetry, Jezebel symbolizes seductive evil, the corruption of religious power, and the archetype of the dangerous woman who manipulates kings and defies divine order.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Jezebel’s paint and dogs (2 Kings 9) illustrate the downfall of manipulative power; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "Aurora Leigh," Jezebel symbolizes the woman who uses religion for control; In William Cowper’s hymns, Jezebel’s persecution of prophets warns against spiritual tyranny; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Jezebel’s table contrasts with Elijah’s wilderness; In John Keble’s "Lyra Apostolica," Jezebel represents the enemy of true worship; In Christina Rossetti’s "The World," Jezebel’s window prefigures the gaze of pride.
Additional Notes
Jezebel: Wife of Ahab; promoted Baal worship, orchestrated Naboth’s death (1 Kings 19, 21). In Revelation 2:20, her name symbolizes false teaching. In poetry, Jezebel embodies manipulative power, religious syncretism, and the grotesque end (“dogs ate her flesh”). Her painted eyes (2 Kings 9:30) add vivid detail—ideal for poems on female villainy (handle critically), the corruption of influence, or the reversal of pride.
Also Known As
Jezebel queen of Israel Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal
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